CONSERVATORY PL A NTS — FREE SI A S, GLADIOLI. 



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stock a good watering, and start the bulbs into growth in a cool frame, or other sheltered 

 position. They may bo kept in frames till November, but care must be taken not to 

 overwater, as too much moisture at the roots is a frequent cause of the leaves turning 

 yellow. If the plants are housed in November and given the attention they merit, all 

 will flower profusely in the late winter and early spring months. Freesias may also be 

 increased by offsets at potting time, treating these similarly to one-year-old seedlings. 



Old bulbs, whether home-raised or purchased, are also best flowered in 5 -inch or 

 slightly smaller pots, and, if re-potted and started into growth at intervals from August 

 to October, a long succession of flowers should result, lasting, say, from January to 

 April. They ought to be graded with a view to having uniform growth, placing about 

 four of the largest and five or six of the medium-sized to small bulbs in a 5-inch 

 pot. Use compost similar to that recommended for the seed pots, and cover the bulbs 

 with an inch of soil. Arrange the pots in a cold frame, give enough water through a 

 rose to just moisten the soil, and cover with either ashes or cocoanut fibre refuse, 

 removing this soon after top-growth commences. For the first three or four weeks give 

 water sparingly, but when the soil is well occupied by roots, they must have it more 

 freely. No shifting into larger pots should be attempted. Keep the plants upright by 

 means of light hazel stakes and strips of raffia, avoiding all stiffness. Those to flower 

 early should have the benefit of gentle heat and a light position, but they must not bo 

 submitted to temperatures higher than 55°. Assist with weak liquid manure. Later 

 plants may be similarly treated, and all should be dried off after flowering and rested 

 in cold frames, re-potting in the autumn. 



Gladioli. — The value of gladioli for conservatory decoration is, as yet, scarcely 

 appreciated. Not only can they be had early with a very little forcing, but the flowers 

 are more perfect under glass than in the open, and their beautiful spikes interspersed 

 among a variety of other plants are seen to great advantage in conservatories. The most 

 popular for pot culture is G. Colvillei albus (The Bride), but Adonis, Delicatissima, 

 Duke of Albany, Fairy Queen, Mary Anderson, Princess of Wales, Queen Victoria^ 

 and Sutton's Queen of Pinks (Fig. 140), are all suitable for flowering early in pots. 

 Gladioli generally may be grown under glass for an early summer display. The potting 

 should take place late in December. The Colvillei type have small corms, and six or 

 more of these may be placed in each G-inch pot, but the stronger sorts should be grown 

 singly either in 5-inch or 6-inch pots. Use rather rich loamy soil, surrounding the corms 

 with sand and just covering them with soil. Arrange the pots under a dry stage, in gentle 



VOL. III. H H 



